Penang exco member for Islamic Affairs Abdul Malik Abul Kassim has warned religious and commercial outlets not to allow their suraus to be used for other purposes.

He said the warning has been issued to hotels, resorts and shopping complexes.

“I have advised these outlets to be extra-careful in the usage of their suraus, that they should just use it for Muslims and not for other purposes,” said Abdul Malik in a press conference today.

“I have told them that they should manage their suraus properly, keep them orderly, proper and clean,” he added.

“We are doing this to make sure that the incident in Sedili Besar, Kota Tinggi, does not happen in Penang,” said Abdul Malik.

NONE The Batu Maung assemblyperson was referring to the recent incident in Johor where a resort manager has been remanded by police to facilitate in their probe.

The resort operator had allegedly allowed its surau to be used for other religious services, where a group of Buddhists had reportedly used the place for meditation.

The incident, uploaded on YouTube with the title ‘Cina Buddha Sembahyang di Surau. Surau jadi Tokong ’, has attracted some 83,134 views and 790 comments so far.

It kicked up a furore in religious circles, with the Johor Fatwa Committee mulling action againt the resort for insulting Islam or causing Islam to be looked down upon.

Abdul Malik said there are two provisions in the local government laws which prohibit the usage of buildings for purposes other than what they were designated for.

He said the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has taken action on those who used their spaces for other purposes than those they had applied for.

He added that Section 32 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (1996) states that  anyone who destroys, damages or tarnishes any mosque or surau or other religious places of worship with the intention to insult or make fun of Islam can be fined up to RM3,000 or jailed not longer than two years or both.

Developers or owners of building can be similarly charged under the local government laws, he added.

‘Planning permission a must’

“Generally, a develop must apply for approval of planning permission and building plan approval before he develops his project,” said Malik.

Or else, the developer can be charged under section 19(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976, which states among others, that no one is allowed to carry out development (modification or change of use of the building and land) without obtaining prior approval from the local government.

If found guilty, the developer can be fined up to RM500,000 or jailed for two years or both.

Section 70 (13) of the Road, Drainage and Buildings Act, 1974 states, among others, that no one is allowed to divert from any plan approved by the local government without obtaining written permission.

If found guilty, they can be fined not more than RM50,000.

Meanwhile, Abdul Malik said he had met with hoteliers and complex owners to advise them to form committees to manage the proper use and maintenance of suraus.

He added that if the suraus were not in demand, the hotel or owner of building can apply to the local council to convert the status of the place and use it for other purposes.

“We have about 1,000 prayer rooms in Penang, and so far there are no issues with the usage of the suraus,” said Abdul Malik, who looks after the state religious affairs, domestic trade and consumer affairs committee.